THE BAZAAR. 211 



the bazaar to be flourishing and prosperous, and 

 Kunchunnees* could then be counted by the 

 score, covered with jewels, whilst now the city 

 does not contain half a dozen, and those half- 

 starved." 



The city of Kh}n'poor stands in a well-culti- 

 vated plain, surrounded by fine gardens ; its 

 bazaar extends from north to south for a few 

 hundred yards, and passing a lofty gateway 

 turns eastward for about the same distance, 

 some small streets branching off from the main 

 one. The shops are miserably poor, as Meer 

 Ali Moorad is never at Khyrpoor for more than 

 three days together; indeed, when he does 

 honour the capital with his presence, his ill- 

 paid retainers are by no means welcome in the 

 bazaar, as their purchases are generally made 

 on credit, if they can get it, which is hardly to 

 be wondered at, when it is considered that their 

 pay is generally six or eight months in arrear. 

 The Mooldyar Kar, or Prime Minister, the Mcer 

 Moonshee, and one or two other well-j^aid offi- 

 cials only, ever reside at Khyrpoor, and the 

 town being destitute of trade, everybody in it, 

 save some few wealtliy Hindoos, has the most 



* Dancing girls. 

 14 ♦ 



